I couldn’t relax. My body was taut as the wind whipped against me, and I held on so tightly, I was sure I was squeezing the breath out of Brock.
I hated it.
What I’m sure was less than five minutes felt like an eternity, and when he finally pulled the bike over to park, I could barely contain my whimper of relief.
Brock stood up and helped me off the bike. He pulled the helmet off my head, then reached out to smooth my hair back. I was standing there stiff as a board, sure that my body was going to be sore tomorrow, when he said softly, “Not for you.”
It wasn’t a question, but a statement, and I worried that I’d somehow failed a test of sorts. Brock was the kind of man who rode motorcycles and sang in a band. What would he want with an uptight debutante like me?
“C’mon, babe,” he said, pulling my arm lightly to break me out of my statue-like stance. “Let’s go get that drink.”
We walked into the coffee shop and ordered our drinks. Brock excused himself to go to the restroom, while I stood off to the side waiting for them to call our order up. While he was gone I chastised myself for being here in the first place. What was I thinking? I didn’t ride motorcycles, hang out in bars, or date lumberjacks. I needed to find a way to excuse myself and hightail it back to my car. I almost had myself convinced to plead temporary insanity, when I felt Brock’s hand at the small of my back, and turned to see his eyes smiling down at me.
“What do you want with me?” I blurted out, asking him the question I’d probably already asked twenty-times, without receiving a reasonable response. “I know you said that there’s an attraction, but I’m sure there are plenty of more suitable women, that would enjoy going out with you.”
Brock looked at me for a beat, then threw his head back and laughed, deep from his gut, and my body tingled at the sound.
“I’ve tried suitable,” he said when his laughter had almost completely died out. “But there’s something about you, Victoria, and I want to see what’s underneath all of the polish and perfection.”
“If you’re thinking you’re going to break through and find a heart of gold, you’re going to be sorely disappointed,” I responded haughtily, trying to mask the fact that his words had my heart trembling with fear. I’d worked very hard to ensure no man would ever get close enough to ruin me, the way my father had ruined my mother.
Rather than being offended by my tone, Brock’s eyes danced with merriment, and he leaned down closer, his voice rough yet amused in my ear. “Maybe silver? Or bronze?”
He started chuckling again, and although I tried to remain stoic, his mirth was catchy, and I found myself smiling at his words.
Brock’s eyes were on my lips, and when the smile fell from his, his gaze turning hot, I felt a fire begin in my belly and slowly lick its way through my veins. I inhaled sharply as his head began its descent toward mine, but was saved from his kiss when the barista called his name, indicating our order was ready.
When he walked to the counter to grab our drinks, I released my breath with a shudder and closed my eyes, trying to regain my composure before he returned.
“Wanna grab that table over there?” Brock asked, indicating a booth by the window, his features normal, as if my body hadn’t been about to implode moments before.
“Sure,” I said, trying to match my disposition to his, then led the way to the booth and took the seat closer to the door.
Brock placed my Chai Tea Latte in front of me, then settled into the seat across from mine and brought his coffee to his lips. He watched me over the rim as he drank, as if assessing my reaction to his almost kiss.
Trying to avoid his eyes, I looked around the coffee shop, noticing that other than us, the place was void of customers.
I turned my attention back to him and asked, “Don’t you have to work? It’s the middle of the morning.”
Brock’s lip turned up at my question, and I wasn’t sure if it was because he was happy I was asking something personal, or if he was being snarky because I’d just now asked the question.
“That’s the nice part about being your own boss,” he explained, leaning back into his chair and stretching his legs out to get comfortable. I moved my feet to the side when his touched mine, causing him to chuckle. “My schedule’s pretty flexible, and I have a good team of guys that work for me.”
I was curious about his job. I knew that he ran some sort of painting business, but I wondered how he’d come to own a business at such a young age. I didn’t want him to know I was curious, however, so I simply nodded at his answer.
“What about you, babe? You content to spend your days doing yoga and making the world prettier just by being in it?”
My back stiffened at his insinuation, even though I knew it was pretty accurate. I was about to tell him off when I saw someone approaching our table. He had dark hair and a dark complexion, with paint-spackled clothes and a grim look on his face.
“Here you go, brother,” he said, tossing a set of keys in the air before he’d fully made it to our table.
Brock caught the keys in mid-air, looking at the man with a look of disapproval on his face, before turning to me and saying, “Victoria, this is my brother Brady. Brady, Victoria.”
Brady looked at me, not bothering to hide his disdain, and nodded slightly before snatching the motorcycle key off the table and walking away.
I watched him stalk out, then turned to look at Brock.
“He was lovely,” I said sarcastically, a little affronted at his brother’s rudeness.
Brock chuckled lightly, but his eyes had hardened a bit. “Brady’s heart’s in the right place. He’s just a bit overprotective.”
“What does he have to be overprotective about?” I asked, confused. When Brock just continued to look pointedly at me, I was shocked to realize that his brother was worried about me. “Me?”
“Don’t worry about him,” Brock said, reaching his hand across the table to lay it over mine. “He’s making assumptions … Look, I’d like to take you out tonight.”
His words swept through me, and I swallowed deeply.
“I think your fifteen minutes are over,” I replied softly.
He squeezed my hand in his and said, “I think there’s something here, Victoria. As I said at the bar, I know I’m not the kind of guy you’re looking to get serious with. You have it in your head that you’re going to marry a suit and be a wife … I get it. All I’m saying is, you’re not married yet, and since you’re single, and I’m single, why not have some fun before you settle down?” He leaned across, his eyes locked on mine as he continued. “We’ve got chemistry, why not explore it? Let’s show each other a good time, have a little fun, and see what happens?”
I was at the same time offended and tempted by his offer. Could I allow myself to spend time dating Brock, and let’s face it, be intimate with him? I knew that’s what he was asking … He was blunt in a way that no man had ever been with me before, and I’d be lying if I said it wasn’t appealing.
I cleared my throat and decided to stop worrying about what everyone else thought. For once, I was going to do something that I wanted to do. “Okay.”
“Okay?” he asked, surprised.
“Okay,” I repeated “I’ll go out with you tonight.”
Brock squeezed my hand again, and he smiled as wide as I had the day Kate Spade had a 70% off sale on handbags.
“Great,” he replied, still smiling. Then his phone beeped and he pulled his hand from mine to check it. After he read his text he looked up at me and said, “I’ve got to get to work. How does six-thirty sound?”
“Perfect,” I responded, already beginning to question my decision to go on the date with him. My mind was reeling with pros and cons as we walked outside, so when we stopped in front of a very large truck, I turned to Brock in confusion.
He opened the door and put out a hand to help me up, and I asked, “What’s this?”
“You were obviously afraid on the bike, so I had Br
ady drop off my truck and take the bike back.”
I blinked at him, then placed my hand in his, asking softly, “You did?”
“Yeah, babe. I’m not going to make you do anything that makes you uncomfortable.”
I let him help me into the truck, then watched as he closed my door and walked around to the driver’s side. All of the chatter in my brain stopped as the sweetness of his gesture filled me, and I found myself anxiously anticipating our date tonight.
Maybe it was high time I dated against type.
Chapter 5 – Brock
“Did you have to be so rude?” I asked my brother as I walked into the office. Brady glanced up at me from the computer screen and shrugged.
“What was I supposed to do, fawn all over her?” he asked with a scowl.
“No, just be civil, okay?” I requested as I passed his desk and continued down the hall to my office. Brady had always been the most sensitive of my brothers, and the most loyal. Our parents’ death had hit him hard, and because of that, he’d become very protective of me. I understood where he was coming from, but since Victoria didn’t know him, I’m sure she’d been confused by his attitude.
Gaby had been the first girl that I’d liked enough to bring around my brothers, and when she’d chosen Scott over me, Brady’s pit bull had come out. He still hadn’t forgiven her, even though I’d assured him I’d moved on.
I sighed, rubbing my hand over the back of my neck as I looked around my office. There was an old desk that had been in my father’s office, some second-hand furniture, and a pile of paperwork on an end table. I needed to get myself organized, and it was high time I bought some better furniture for the office. Not just mine, but the reception area as well. I’d made enough money to upgrade, I just hadn’t gotten around to it yet. It hadn’t been an issue so far, but since I’d gotten a coveted contract recently, it was probably time for the company to look more professional.
O’Malley Brothers had succeeded beyond my wildest dreams, and I was proud of what I’d built. Now it was time to make the digs match the growing business.
I was going through my emails when my phone signaled an incoming text. I picked up my phone and grinned when I saw the message from TJ.
“Poker. Tomorrow Night. You in?”
I looked down at my calendar before replying, “My turn to host. Tell the guys 7. I’ll spring for pizza.”
“Sounds good.”
“Brady,” I called out as I put down the phone.
“Yeah?”
“You down for poker tomorrow night? My place,” I shouted back.
“Yeah.”
“Tell Brendan.”
“Kay.”
My brothers and I were a recent addition to the guys’ poker night. Once Scott and I buried the hatchet, he’d invited me to poker night. I guess that was his olive branch. I’d always loved the game, so was quick to accept, and wasn’t surprised to have a great time, so I asked if I could bring my brothers next time, and that was it. Now we got together a couple times a month to play.
I got back to work and when I finally looked up again, I was surprised to see it was almost five thirty. I grabbed my stuff and got ready to head out. I wanted to grab a shower before I went to pick up Victoria.
I’d gotten her number when I’d dropped her off at her car this morning, so I shot her a text asking for her address. Brady had left a while ago, but I checked to make sure everything was powered down before I locked up.
Victoria texted me back while I was in the shower, and I noticed that her place wasn’t too far away, so I took the time to trim my beard and throw some grease into my hair, before grabbing the keys to my truck and heading out the door.
I was a little surprised at how excited I was to see Victoria again. I’d said plenty of times that I was not her type, but she was the furthest thing from my type too. I usually went for chicks like Gaby. Pretty, sweet, and easygoing. I was eager to see what this pull I felt toward Victoria was, and what it would be like to thaw her out a bit. Maybe it was the challenge, or simply how good she’d felt against my lips, but anticipation was coursing through me as I drove to get her.
Her condo was new, but I wouldn’t expect anything less. I tapped down the grin that wanted to spread across my face as I waited for her to answer my knock. I couldn’t look as eager as a damn puppy when she opened the door, not matter how accurate that description was.
I wasn’t disappointed when the door opened and Victoria stood before me, as classy and sophisticated as a royal. She had on a pretty polka dot shirt and navy-blue skirt, her hair straight as a blade and her face perfectly made up. If I didn’t know that she looked this perfect all the time, I’d be touched that she’d gone to so much effort for our date.
“You look beautiful,” I said honestly in her ear as I bent to brush my lips against her cheek. I smiled as a small shudder ran through her.
She cleared her throat delicately and whispered, “Thank you.” She pulled back and brought those brilliant violet eyes to mine. “Please, come in, I just need to get my bag.”
I followed her, unabashedly watching the skirt swish around her thighs as she walked. My body tightened in response, and I looked around the space to try and occupy my mind with other things. I stopped in my tracks as I took in my surroundings.
Shit … I’d made cracks about Victoria being out of my league, but this was the first time that I’d actually felt that it was true.
Her condo looked like something out of a magazine. Everything was perfectly placed, and obviously expensive. There was art on the walls, an array of fancy tables and shelves, with artsy crap all over it. There was some sort of long chair or lounger, with a shit ton of books on shelves behind it. And there was a bar. With an array of scotch and whiskey, and who knew what else behind it.
“Brock,” Victoria called when she came back into the room.
I turned to look at her, gesturing my hand around the room. “Did you do all this?”
“What do you mean?” she asked with a frown as she looked around her place.
“Did you pick this stuff out?”
“Oh.” A small smile played at her lips. “Yes, I decorated it myself,” she added, obviously proud, as she should be.
“You decorated it?” I asked dumbly, truly astounded. I’d figured she’d picked out the stuff, or told a designer what her vision was, but to hear she’d decorated it herself surprised me.
“Yes.” The frown was back as she asked,” Why?”
“It’s amazing.” I took a step toward her, then stopped when she smiled beautifully. I’d never seen her face look so open and unguarded. “You’re very talented.”
“Thank you,” she responded softly, obviously pleased by my praise.
I moved toward her again, stopping to tuck her hair behind her ear before bending slowly, watching and gauging her reaction, then pressing my lips softly to hers. I’d only intended to give her a quick peck, but when her lips softened beneath mine and opened slightly, I accepted her invitation and swept my tongue inside.
When she moaned slightly, my arms came around her back, and I pulled her tight little body against mine, allowing the feel and smell of her to fill my senses. Her soft breasts against my hard chest, her spicy scent surrounding me, and her sweet little noises filling my ears. The combination was heady, and before I realized it, the kiss deepened, and I lowered my hand to the hem of her skirt. As my mouth brushed over hers, my hand touched her stocking-covered leg and moved up under her skirt. When I reached the top of the stocking and felt the garter attached, I broke the kiss and took a big step back, as if singed.
I looked at Victoria, chest heaving, face flushed, and lips swollen from my kiss, and I dug my fingernails into my palm to stop myself from reaching out for her and taking her right there on her plush white carpet.
“Jesus, Victoria,” I said gruffly as the fog started to lift from my brain. “You’re gonna fucking kill me.”
She looked puzzled at my words, and I could tel
l that she was coming to her senses, because confusion crossed her face.
Not wanting her to think I was rejecting her, or for her to feel an ounce of regret for her reaction to me, I went to her once more, this time keeping a tight lid on my libido. I brought my hand gently to her cheek and looked into her eyes.
“I’d only meant to give you a quick kiss, but your mouth is hot as hell, Victoria,” I could tell my words pleased her, so I bent to her ear, touching the tip of my tongue to the sensitive spot briefly, before saying, “I’ll be thinking about those garters all night.”
I pulled back to see the smug smile flash across her face before she hid it.
“Ready?” I asked. I could tell that Victoria was new to the kind of passion that we brought out in each other, and I needed to progress slowly or I’d scare her off. I had to get us the hell out of her condo if I had any hope of doing so.
“Yes,” Victoria said, her voice rough with desire.
Fuck.
“Let’s go,” I replied, practically pulling her out the door.
Chapter 6 – Victoria
I willed myself to keep my eyes on the road as Brock drove us to the restaurant. What I really wanted to do was look at him, at his lips, because they were all I could think about. When he’d kissed me back at my condo, it was like I’d temporarily lost my mind. His hand had been up my skirt for God’s sake … And I’d liked it. In fact, I’d been disappointed when he stopped.
What was wrong with me? Why did I react to him so strongly? I just didn’t understand it. Control had always come so easily to me. My mother had fallen apart when my father left, so much so that I was embarrassed for her, and a little disgusted that she was so … weak. When my dad had come back for me and asked me to live with him, I’d jumped at the chance, even though it meant living with him and Felicia, and adhering to their standards. Anything was better than watching my mother spiral down into the depths of despair.
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